What happens if you ignore Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Compliance?
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What if one in four of your users can’t use your website?
U.S. adults living with a disability rely on assistive tools to engage with digital content. When your inaccessible digital platform excludes them, you are breaking the rules of Section 508 compliance. Apart from the legal trouble, you are missing real people, real engagement, and real value.
What is Section 508 – Brief Recap
Before you learn “what happens if you ignore it,” first read what Section 508 really requires.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has Section 508 for digital accessibility. It requires all electronic and information technology (often called ICT) used by U.S. federal agencies to be barrier free for disabled users.
That means websites, software, hardware, multimedia, kiosks, documents basically any ICT must be designed so everyone can use them.
The law mainly applies to federal agencies and the vendors who work with them. Section 508 compliance standards are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. These guidelines have become the global standard for digital accessibility. Even non-government agency can stay competitive and bid for federal projects by staying compliant.
Related Reading: Read this blog [What Are the 508 Compliance Standards for Websites?] if you want to learn in detail about Section 508 compliance.
Importance of following the 508 compliance requirements
Every person with a disability has an equal right to use digital services and information as anyone else. Section 508 establishes that standard and makes equal access possible.
Accessibility improvements often broaden your audience. Such as:
• Compliance guidelines tell us to add captions to videos. It will help everyone in noisy places
• Accessibility standards mandate that your content should have clear headings. This will help sighted users too.
Vendors of ICT can stay competitive by providing 508 compliance certification. Compliance opens the door to federal contracts and market segments that require accessibility.
Schedule a free consultation with ADACP to find out more about 508 compliance certification.
What happens when you ignore Section 508 Compliance guidelines
Think accessibility laws don’t affect you?
Over 73% of federal vendors fail at least one accessibility checkpoint during audits, and nearly 40% lose renewal bids because of it. That missed checkbox translates into lost business and reputation.
When you fail Section 508 compliance, the impact is more than a technical problem. The fallout hits four major areas: legal standing, market reputation, finance and human impact. Ignoring accessibility can quietly cost your organization.
1. Legal & Regulatory Consequences
Q: Can you be legally penalized for non-compliance?
Although Section 508 applies to federal agencies, contractors and vendors to those agencies must also conform when supplying ICT.
• Audit & enforcement pressure: Federal agencies don’t get a free pass. They are routinely audited to prove they meet Section 508 standards. If accessibility gaps show, they may face compliance scrutiny.
• Lose contracts: A non-compliance vendor selling to the federal government may lose the contract or become ineligible.
• Legal trouble: Private entities might not be covered directly under Section 508 but non-compliance still targets you in accessibility litigation. Many lawsuits use the ADA as a basis and courts reference WCAG 508 standards for digital accessibility.
• Procurement issues: The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 39.2) requires accessibility for ICT procurements.
Ignoring Section 508 might disqualify you from doing business with the government and invite regulatory trouble.
2. Operational & Financial Costs
Q: What are the hidden costs of ignoring accessibility?
• Rework costs: Fixing accessibility after content is live is more expensive than building it in from the start.
• Support burden: Excluded users turn to customer support and increase overhead.
• Lost business: Excluding users with disabilities means missing out on conversions and market opportunities.
• Contract loss: You could lose revenue or face penalties if your federal contract requires compliance and you fail.
3. Reputational Damage
Ignoring accessibility has a human cost because the public sees it.
• Brand risk: The label of “not accessible” can damage your credibility among socially conscious audiences.
• Negative social media: Accessibility failures can become a reputational crisis.
• Stakeholder trust: Non-compliance sends the wrong message to your partners and investors.
Q: How does non-compliance affect actual users?
Inaccessible documents might hinder access to information which is a civil rights issue. Denying equal digital access is denying equal opportunity.
Curious about your accountability to Section 508 requirements? Find out if your business belongs to this category. [Who Needs to Follow Section 508 Compliance? (Explained for 2025)]
What Happens When Organizations Overlook Section 508 Compliance
According to official guidance from Section508.gov, captions are required for all pre-recorded videos with audio tracks under Section 508.
Yet a review found many agency components still did not provide proper captioning or audio description.
According to reports, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was criticized for missing accessibility in its IT systems purchase. Their noncompliant software sparked audits and negative media coverage. This incident forced the agency to revise its procurement processes.
Q: Does Section 508 apply to private companies?
A: Primarily it applies to federal agencies and their ICT. However, private companies that contract with the federal government or supply ICT must follow the norms. Plus, best practices from Section 508 are developed from ADA and WCAG guidelines.
Doing business with federal entities requires 508 testing and compliance proof. Not sure how to get it? Consult us today for free.
How to avoid the consequences of delayed 508 compliance testing
It is better to act early than deal with an angry user filing a lawsuit later. Start fixing it now with this simple roadmap.
1. Run an accessibility check
Thoroughly review your website, software, documents, and internal systems. Automated tools can flag basic errors but they are only 30% accurate.
So, you will need a manual audit for the full picture. Partner with an accessibility consultant like ADACP to identify hidden barriers. Our Section 508 specialists can quickly flag confusing keyboard navigation or missing form labels.
2. Know the scope
Map your entire ICT inventory because every system you use may not fall under Section 508. Focus on digital assets if you work with federal contracts. Align your efforts with WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 standards to prepare for future requirements.
3. Build accessibility in from day one
Accessibility works best when it is part of the process, not something bolted on at the end. Write accessibility requirements into your contracts and briefs. Developers should build pages with clean, structured HTML. Designers should check that layouts are easy to read and simple to move around in. Small choices early on prevent major fixes later.
4. Keep improving
You have to put in constant efforts to stay accessible. Routinely review your content and get feedback from users. Audits are your best friend when you update your website or add new content. Check every few months and you won’t be stressed when an audit comes around.
Q: How long does it take to fix non-compliance?
A: It depends on the scale. Remediation might require audits, redesign, retesting, staff training and documentation. The cost and time escalate the farther you’re from baseline compliance.
SEO & Accessibility Go Hand-in-Hand
If you are managing digital assets, you will love this. Accessibility improvements often boost search engine optimization (SEO) too.
• Clear headings and accurate alt text for images make it easier for search engines to understand your website.
• Good accessibility translates into faster site performance. It even keeps users engaged and reduces bounce rates.
• Inclusive design means you capture more users. It can improve onsite metrics like dwell time and conversions that search engines favour.
Conclusion
Ignoring Section 508 compliance may feel like a technical or bureaucratic hassle, but the consequences are far-reaching. Failure to meet 508 compliance requirements can land you in legal and financial penalties as well as very real human exclusion and brand damage. The story is more than a law for government websites. Every organization must be serious about accessibility testing and remediation to create future-ready digital experiences.
Take action now: Schedule a 508 compliance consultation to audit your assets. With ADACP, you can integrate accessibility into your processes and open doors to higher SEO performance and stronger trust.
FAQs
Q: What if a federal agency does not follow Section 508?
A federal agency can face compliance reviews. They may be required to retrofit technologies or lose procurement eligibility. They may face accountability enquiries for failing to provide equal access.
Q: Can I ignore Section 508 if my business is outside the United States?
A: Section 508 is a law for U.S. government entities and their partners. But accessibility is global, hence organizations often follow the standards for ethical and market reasons.
Q: What are the risks for contractors who ignore Section 508?
They could lose government projects and spend a lot more on remediation. Missing 508 compliance guidelines can hurt their good name in the market. It becomes harder to win new work.
Q: What about a nonprofit or private organization not bound by Section 508 accessibility rules?
Such an organization is not legally obliged under Section 508. However, they still risk negative user experience and brand damage. These organizations may also be subject to other accessibility-related litigation.
Q: Which rules should I follow to meet Section 508 compliance?
A: The technical standards for Section 508 include ICT Final Standards. These rules follow WCAG 2.0 Level AA and beyond.
What if one in four of your users can’t use your website?
U.S. adults living with a disability rely on assistive tools to engage with digital content. When your inaccessible digital platform excludes them, you are breaking the rules of Section 508 compliance. Apart from the legal trouble, you are missing real people, real engagement, and real value.
What is Section 508 – Brief Recap
Before you learn “what happens if you ignore it,” first read what Section 508 really requires.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has Section 508 for digital accessibility. It requires all electronic and information technology (often called ICT) used by U.S. federal agencies to be barrier free for disabled users.
That means websites, software, hardware, multimedia, kiosks, documents basically any ICT must be designed so everyone can use them.
The law mainly applies to federal agencies and the vendors who work with them. Section 508 compliance standards are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. These guidelines have become the global standard for digital accessibility. Even non-government agency can stay competitive and bid for federal projects by staying compliant.
Related Reading: Read this blog [What Are the 508 Compliance Standards for Websites?] if you want to learn in detail about Section 508 compliance.
Importance of following the 508 compliance requirements
Every person with a disability has an equal right to use digital services and information as anyone else. Section 508 establishes that standard and makes equal access possible.
Accessibility improvements often broaden your audience. Such as:
• Compliance guidelines tell us to add captions to videos. It will help everyone in noisy places
• Accessibility standards mandate that your content should have clear headings. This will help sighted users too.
Vendors of ICT can stay competitive by providing 508 compliance certification. Compliance opens the door to federal contracts and market segments that require accessibility.
Schedule a free consultation with ADACP to find out more about 508 compliance certification.
What happens when you ignore Section 508 Compliance guidelines
Think accessibility laws don’t affect you?
Over 73% of federal vendors fail at least one accessibility checkpoint during audits, and nearly 40% lose renewal bids because of it. That missed checkbox translates into lost business and reputation.
When you fail Section 508 compliance, the impact is more than a technical problem. The fallout hits four major areas: legal standing, market reputation, finance and human impact. Ignoring accessibility can quietly cost your organization.
1. Legal & Regulatory Consequences
Q: Can you be legally penalized for non-compliance?
Although Section 508 applies to federal agencies, contractors and vendors to those agencies must also conform when supplying ICT.
• Audit & enforcement pressure: Federal agencies don’t get a free pass. They are routinely audited to prove they meet Section 508 standards. If accessibility gaps show, they may face compliance scrutiny.
• Lose contracts: A non-compliance vendor selling to the federal government may lose the contract or become ineligible.
• Legal trouble: Private entities might not be covered directly under Section 508 but non-compliance still targets you in accessibility litigation. Many lawsuits use the ADA as a basis and courts reference WCAG 508 standards for digital accessibility.
• Procurement issues: The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 39.2) requires accessibility for ICT procurements.
Ignoring Section 508 might disqualify you from doing business with the government and invite regulatory trouble.
2. Operational & Financial Costs
Q: What are the hidden costs of ignoring accessibility?
• Rework costs: Fixing accessibility after content is live is more expensive than building it in from the start.
• Support burden: Excluded users turn to customer support and increase overhead.
• Lost business: Excluding users with disabilities means missing out on conversions and market opportunities.
• Contract loss: You could lose revenue or face penalties if your federal contract requires compliance and you fail.
3. Reputational Damage
Ignoring accessibility has a human cost because the public sees it.
• Brand risk: The label of “not accessible” can damage your credibility among socially conscious audiences.
• Negative social media: Accessibility failures can become a reputational crisis.
• Stakeholder trust: Non-compliance sends the wrong message to your partners and investors.
Q: How does non-compliance affect actual users?
Inaccessible documents might hinder access to information which is a civil rights issue. Denying equal digital access is denying equal opportunity.
Curious about your accountability to Section 508 requirements? Find out if your business belongs to this category. [Who Needs to Follow Section 508 Compliance? (Explained for 2025)]
What Happens When Organizations Overlook Section 508 Compliance
According to official guidance from Section508.gov, captions are required for all pre-recorded videos with audio tracks under Section 508.
Yet a review found many agency components still did not provide proper captioning or audio description.
According to reports, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was criticized for missing accessibility in its IT systems purchase. Their noncompliant software sparked audits and negative media coverage. This incident forced the agency to revise its procurement processes.
Q: Does Section 508 apply to private companies?
A: Primarily it applies to federal agencies and their ICT. However, private companies that contract with the federal government or supply ICT must follow the norms. Plus, best practices from Section 508 are developed from ADA and WCAG guidelines.
Doing business with federal entities requires 508 testing and compliance proof. Not sure how to get it? Consult us today for free.
How to avoid the consequences of delayed 508 compliance testing
It is better to act early than deal with an angry user filing a lawsuit later. Start fixing it now with this simple roadmap.
1. Run an accessibility check
Thoroughly review your website, software, documents, and internal systems. Automated tools can flag basic errors but they are only 30% accurate.
So, you will need a manual audit for the full picture. Partner with an accessibility consultant like ADACP to identify hidden barriers. Our Section 508 specialists can quickly flag confusing keyboard navigation or missing form labels.
2. Know the scope
Map your entire ICT inventory because every system you use may not fall under Section 508. Focus on digital assets if you work with federal contracts. Align your efforts with WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 standards to prepare for future requirements.
3. Build accessibility in from day one
Accessibility works best when it is part of the process, not something bolted on at the end. Write accessibility requirements into your contracts and briefs. Developers should build pages with clean, structured HTML. Designers should check that layouts are easy to read and simple to move around in. Small choices early on prevent major fixes later.
4. Keep improving
You have to put in constant efforts to stay accessible. Routinely review your content and get feedback from users. Audits are your best friend when you update your website or add new content. Check every few months and you won’t be stressed when an audit comes around.
Q: How long does it take to fix non-compliance?
A: It depends on the scale. Remediation might require audits, redesign, retesting, staff training and documentation. The cost and time escalate the farther you’re from baseline compliance.
SEO & Accessibility Go Hand-in-Hand
If you are managing digital assets, you will love this. Accessibility improvements often boost search engine optimization (SEO) too.
• Clear headings and accurate alt text for images make it easier for search engines to understand your website.
• Good accessibility translates into faster site performance. It even keeps users engaged and reduces bounce rates.
• Inclusive design means you capture more users. It can improve onsite metrics like dwell time and conversions that search engines favour.
Conclusion
Ignoring Section 508 compliance may feel like a technical or bureaucratic hassle, but the consequences are far-reaching. Failure to meet 508 compliance requirements can land you in legal and financial penalties as well as very real human exclusion and brand damage. The story is more than a law for government websites. Every organization must be serious about accessibility testing and remediation to create future-ready digital experiences.
Take action now: Schedule a 508 compliance consultation to audit your assets. With ADACP, you can integrate accessibility into your processes and open doors to higher SEO performance and stronger trust.
FAQs
Q: What if a federal agency does not follow Section 508?
A federal agency can face compliance reviews. They may be required to retrofit technologies or lose procurement eligibility. They may face accountability enquiries for failing to provide equal access.
Q: Can I ignore Section 508 if my business is outside the United States?
A: Section 508 is a law for U.S. government entities and their partners. But accessibility is global, hence organizations often follow the standards for ethical and market reasons.
Q: What are the risks for contractors who ignore Section 508?
They could lose government projects and spend a lot more on remediation. Missing 508 compliance guidelines can hurt their good name in the market. It becomes harder to win new work.
Q: What about a nonprofit or private organization not bound by Section 508 accessibility rules?
Such an organization is not legally obliged under Section 508. However, they still risk negative user experience and brand damage. These organizations may also be subject to other accessibility-related litigation.
Q: Which rules should I follow to meet Section 508 compliance?
A: The technical standards for Section 508 include ICT Final Standards. These rules follow WCAG 2.0 Level AA and beyond.
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